SD Galway -v- Waterford United

SD GALWAY

Despite slipping to the bottom of the league following a 2-0 defeat at Wexford Youths last Friday, SD Galway manager Tony Mannion is welcoming back four players and while the results have eluded them so far, he is happy that they are making progress.

“We have to go out and play with no fear. Difficult, I know, when the results have been poor. We need however to accentuate the positives and look to learn from the mistakes,” said the former Galway United boss.

SD Galway can this week include both Timmy Molloy and Colm Horgan, who return from international duty with the Ireland Schools side, while Eugene Greaney is available following a one game ban. Also returning to the squad is long-term injury casualty Kieran Foley, who trained for the first time on Monday night.

However, Mannion must also cope without the services of several first team regulars for the visit of Waterford United. Both Mikey Gilmore and Nicky Curran are suspended while Oscar Sibanda will be out for several weeks after fracturing his leg in training. There are also doubts over the fitness of Brian Gaffney, who picked up a hamstring injury, and Mixie Harty who has been suffering from flu all week, but

trained on Wednesday night.

Mannion’s side have lost their last two games but he believes that they have shown some signs of improvement: “On our last home game with Athlone we were disappointing overall, but the second half display was encouraging and we will be looking to start from the opening whistle this week.”

WATERFORD UNITED

Despite Waterford United’s Jekyll and Hyde opening to the season, the Blues have a third victory on the spin in their sights at Terryland Park this Friday thanks to recent wins over Limerick FC and Wexford Youths, both of whom are to the forefront of the First Division promotion race.

A second win of the season over First Division favorites Limerick FC last Friday clearly delighted Waterford United manager Paul O’Brien: "We came here (Jackman Park) clear in the knowledge that this would be a battle but I thought that we were brilliant. All of the lads were superb and I couldn't have asked any more of them," said O’Brien.

However, the big downside of the victory was the serious injury to returning striker Willie John Kiely, who lasted all of eight minutes before he dislocated an elbow in a heavy fall. Kiely’s minimum six week absence adds considerably to O’Brien’s crisis

up front; where Daragh Walshe is out for another week, plus long-term absentees Adam McSherry and Gary Keane.

Seanie Maguire, who netted his fourth league goal against Limerick, should be available, after spending the week on trial at Charlton Athletic, along with winger Jack Doherty. At the back, David Breen remains out with a thigh injury, and after limping off last Friday full back John Frost faces a late fitness test.

Although O’Brien has selection headaches, he believes his side has begun to hit form: "We are moving in the right direction now and we will head to Galway determined to rack up another three points."

Referee: Ray Matthews

MATCH STATS

In the seven encounters between the sides in the league, Waterford United have taken 19 points from the available 21.

SD Galway are the only remaining team of the 20 League of Ireland clubs who have yet to record a victory this term.

The previous meeting between these sides this season saw Waterford United claim the three points courtesy of a Gary Dempsey goal at the RSC on March 16.

BETTING

SD Galway 5/1; Draw 11/4; Waterford United 1/2.

PREDICTION

With both sides decimated by injury for this match, SD Galway could well claim a point. SD Galway 1-1 Waterford United.

SD Galway Injury News: Oscar Sibanda, Brian Gaffney.

SD Galway Suspension News: Mikey Gilmore, Nicky Curran.

Waterford United Injury News: Adam McSherry, Willie John Kiely, Gary Keane, David Breen, Daragh Walshe.

Waterford United Suspension News: None.